Christmas Reindeer Chow
Christmas Puppy Chow is a delightfully sweet and crunchy homemade holiday snack mix. The red and green colors make it pretty and festive!
“Reindeer Chow” (aka Christmas Puppy Chow)
You know when you’re sidling up to the dessert table at a holiday party and looking for something that you can just sneak a taste of?
Well this Christmas puppy chow is IT!
This red and green candy coated Chex mix makes an awesome (and easy) Christmas party treat that both kids and adults alike will love!
Just look at how colorful it is! So pretty with the bright red and green color! Can’t you just imagine the elves and reindeer enjoying this festive snack at the North Pole?
Oh and of course it’s totally delicious — I mean, crunchy cereal, sweet white chocolate, and a dusting of powdered sugar…you can’t go wrong with that combo!
Not gonna lie…I can never just “sneak a taste” of this puppy chow Christmas candy. I always go back for more!
The best part about this holiday puppy chow is that it is super easy to make — no baking required! So if you get a last minute party invite, this is the perfect treat to whip up!
Our Christmas Puppy Chow is a fun and festive treat that everyone in your family is sure to love! This bright red and green colored holiday muddy buddy recipe is crunchy, delicious, and the perfect easy Christmas recipe! If you like candy cane treats, be sure to try our Peppermint Crunch Puppy Chow recipe too!
What is Puppy Chow?
Puppy chow (also called muddy buddies) is candy coated cereal party mix, usually made with Chex mix or something similar.
You can customize the colors and flavors for any occasion, like this pumpkin spice muddy buddies recipe we made for fall and this Valentine Puppy Chow recipe.
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Ingredients
- 1/2 cup red frosting
- 1/2 cup green frosting
- 1/2 cup white candy melts or white chocolate chips, divided
- 1 Tablespoons shortening, if needed
- 4 cups Chex cereal (Feel free to use either Rice Chex cereal or Corn Chex – both work!)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- Holiday M&M candies (optional)
Helpful Kitchen Tools
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Microwave-safe Bowl
- Large Freezer Bag
- Large Baking Sheet
Instructions
To Prep: Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or a non-stick silicone baking mat.
- Scoop red frosting and 1/4 cup white chocolate chips (or white candy melts) in a microwave-safe bowl and heat in 20 second increments, stirring in between, until melted and smooth. If needed, add a touch of shortening or coconut oil to soften.
- Combine the red melted chocolate mixture and 2 cups of Chex cereal in a large bowl and stir until all pieces are coated.
- Pour 1/2 cup confectioner’s sugar into a large gallon zip-top bag, then add in your red candy-coated cereal. Seal the bag and shake well until all of the cereal is coated with sugar.
- Open the bag and shake out the cereal onto your prepared baking sheet, then repeat the process with green frosting to make the same amount of green snack mix.
Prep Tips
- Allow your Christmas puppy chow to rest on the baking sheet for at least an hour, until completely dry.
- Feel free to add holiday colored M&Ms, sprinkles, or other fun mix-ins once your snack mix is dry.
- We love these reusable silicone baking mats because they are non-stick, so your holiday puppy chow will slide right off them! Plus you can wash and use these mats again and again. (Psst…They make great gifts!)
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do You Store Leftover Puppy Chow?
Once your snack mix is completely dry, store in a sealed airtight container. A food storage container with a lid or a freezer zip-top bag would both work well. You could also use a festive Christmas cookie tin!
While you can store in the refrigerator, it’s not necessary When properly stored at room temperature, this snack mix will stay fresh for up to a week. If kept refrigerated, you can extend the shelf life a bit longer, perhaps up to a week.
Can You Freeze It?
Sure! Make sure that your puppy chow is in a freezer-safe food container or storage bag, and it will last in the freezer for 3-6 months.
When you’re ready to enjoy, allow to thaw slowly on the counter to room temperature. Heating it in the microwave, oven, etc. will melt the chocolate coating.
More Holiday Treats to Try:
- Christmas Wreath Cupcakes
- Christmas Tree Oreos
- Mini Santa Belly Cakes
- White Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
- Kid-Made Mini Gingerbread House Cakes
- Oreo Gingerbread Truffles
- Rudolph Cupcakes
- Copycat Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bread
- Red & Green Christmas Fudge
- Reindeer Celery (Healthy Snack)
Christmas Puppy Chow Recipe (Printable Recipe Card)
If you like this recipe, please rate it! We’d also love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
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Christmas Puppy Chow aka "Reindeer Food"
Equipment
- Large Mixing Bowl
- microwave safe bowl
- 2 Large Freezer Bag
Ingredients
- 1/2 Cup Red frosting
- 1/2 Cup Green frosting
- 1/2 Cup White candy melts or white chocolate chips
- 4 Cups Chex cereal
- 1 Cup Powdered sgura
- 1 Tablespoon Shortening optional
- Holiday M&Ms optional
Instructions
- Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or silicone baking mat.
- Place the red frosting and 1/4 cup white chocolate chips (or white candy melts) in a microwave-safe bowl and heat for 30-45 seconds. Stir every 15 seconds, until melted. If needed, add a spoonful of shortening to smooth.
- Add 2 cups Chex cereal and your melted red candy coating to a mixing bowl and stir until all cereal is coated.
- Place 1/2 cup powdered sugar in a large ziplock bag and add the candy coated cereal. Seal bag and shake until all cereal is coated in sugar.
- Pour the cereal onto the prepared baking sheet.
- Repeat the above steps with the white candy melts and green frosting to create an equal amount of green snack mix.
- Let dry for an hour before packaging or serving.
- When serving, feel free to add holiday M&Ms or other fun mix-ins.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Pin our Christmas Muddy Buddies Recipe on Pinterest:
More of our favorite Christmas treats:
- Homemade Teriyaki Sauce - May 8, 2025
- Honey Nut Cheerio Balls - May 6, 2025
- Dubai Chocolate Strawberry Cups - May 4, 2025
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Omg, I’m drooling over this recipe. Such a fun treat which is visually appealing and super easy to make! My kiddos would go crazy for this. We’ll probably make this christmas puppy chow together and share with their friends.
Thank you so much for sharing this and all of your helpful recommendations Stacey. I’m so lucky to have come across this post. I’m definitely saving this for later. Look forward to your new awesome ideas. Your blog is wonderful!
Stacy, what kind of frosting works, I mean a specific type or homemade?
Any should be fine!
I was so hoping these would turn out ok because the color is so vibrant. But 2 hours after making, the cereal became really soft. Back to my old recipe.
Conduct